expanded; expanding; expands
1
: to open up : unfold
2
: to increase the extent, number, volume, or scope of : enlarge
They expanded the business to serve a larger area.
3
a
: to express at length or in greater detail
b
: to write out in full
expand all abbreviations
c
: to subject to mathematical expansion
expand a function in a power series
1
: to open out : spread
The universe is expanding.
2
: to increase in extent, number, volume, or scope
an expanding population
3
: to speak or write fully or in detail
—used with on or upon
expanded on the theme
4
: to feel generous or optimistic
Examples of expand in a Sentence
The liquid expands and contracts with changes in temperature.
His business has expanded to serve the entire state.
The coffee shop may expand into a full restaurant.
He has expanded his business to serve the entire state.
There are plans to expand the airport.
The police have decided to expand their investigation.
She plans to expand the lecture series into a book.
Expand the abbreviation “deg.” to “degree.”
Recent Examples on the Web
The robot’s halftime appearance comes as Hyundai continues to expand its robotics strategy following its acquisition of a controlling stake in Boston Dynamics.
—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2026
Nevertheless, Wieser said her goal is to expand Splash’s programs to help more children succeed, particularly as technology use increases and children spend less time outdoors.
—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
5 July 2026
In other worlds, the suit said the utilities agreed to operate in compliance with ISO orders, which at times included modifying or expanding their high voltage transmission systems.
—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2026
Sinokor, which is headquartered in Seoul, started out as a container shipper, before expanding to become a smaller player in oil tankers.
—
Weilun Soon,
Fortune,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for expand
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2026
Nevertheless, Wieser said her goal is to expand Splash’s programs to help more children succeed, particularly as technology use increases and children spend less time outdoors.
—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
5 July 2026
In other worlds, the suit said the utilities agreed to operate in compliance with ISO orders, which at times included modifying or expanding their high voltage transmission systems.
—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2026
Sinokor, which is headquartered in Seoul, started out as a container shipper, before expanding to become a smaller player in oil tankers.
—
Weilun Soon,
Fortune,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for expand
Cite this Entry
“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expand. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expand
verb
ex·pand
ik-ˈspand 
1
: to open wide : unfold
a bird with wings expanded
2
: to increase in size, number, or amount
substances expand when heated
the expanding universe
their work expanded
3
: to work out in greater detail
expand an argument
4
: to perform the indicated mathematical operations of : write out in full
expand both sides of an equation
expander
noun
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